Pink lemonade and chocolate-chip cookies

El Hub thinks I’m a little nuts to love this combo as much as I do because for him, it’s all about milk and cookies (for dunking), but the pink lemonade combo is totally working for me.

Not to dunk though. I don’t dunk the cookies in the lemonade. I just like to have them together. I like the contrasting taste of the tart lemonade (ha! I almost wrote “Tarte lemonade”) with the sweetness of the cookies.

Oh! — and lemonade has to be cold and pink. Don’t ask me why; it just does.

Kerastase Spray Fluidissime…for unruly bangs!

So I’ve had this bottle of Kerastase Spray Fluidissime ($42 for a 5.1 fl-oz. bottle) for a while, and it’s basically an anti-frizz, thermal-protecting, shine-boosting spray that you spray on wet hair, and then either air or blow dry.

I mostly just used it on long sections of my hair from about mid-length down to the ends, where it does a great job, but for reasons unknown, it never occurred to me to try it on my bangs…

Until the other day.

Wow, it works great! It tames my mischievous, frizzy side-swept bangs, which have gotten long and rebellious lately because I’m way overdue for a trim.

This spray totally tames their inner beast. I just spray a few spritzes on my bangs while they’re wet, then dry with a brush and a hair dryer.

It makes my hair smooth, silky and well-behaved, and it holds the side-swept shape perfectly.

Sephora Tidy Detangling Comb

I love this dang thing. I use it in the shower at night to work conditioner through my hair, and then use it again the next morning to detangle. It gets out all the knots without messing up my waves, and it feels effing fantastic on my scalp. It doesn’t feel pokey at all. Just really, really good.

The “Sephora” label on it is already starting to fade, but it sure as heck doesn’t hurt the comb. This is the best $8 I’ve spent there in a while.

So far, 39 people have commented on this article. How cool is that?

Oh, Jennifer just did this post, and since i already commented with my current love, I’m going to copy and paste:

but before that…truffle salt is awesome. I have some…have been into finishing salts lately and trying to ditch industrial processed salt.

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What I am loving this week: Blick professional grade brand oil (made by Sennelier) in Cobalt Turquoise, a *single pigment PG50* which is an expensive pigment…I got a tube for under $11! I looooove PG50. Really, this pigment can go for $35 and up! Sorry (sorta) for geeking out…but you asked! :pjessica recently posted … Quick!

I totes love the “favorite things” questions. I dunno. Maybe it’s because I have a short attention span & can talk about a myriad of things that I love that may or may not have anything to do with each other:
1. Marley twists- your’s truly is once again channeling Denise Huxtable & friggin’ lovin’ it. For real, I change my hair often because I get bored. But the older I get, the less I like to actually do my hair. Got these latest twists installed on Sunday. And now, I’m stopping traffic…lol.
2. Yoga- I was out of town visiting friends last week & missed a week at the gym. Last night was my first night back. Working out & going to the gym can be hard work but my body always thanks me later. Gotta feeling yoga & I will be going strong for a long time.
3. Green smoothies- so I made a green smoothie in my blender the other day & it tasted horrible! Which inspired me to go out & buy a few green smoothies this week. Which inspired me to buy a nutribullet. Now I can (hopefully) make my own delicious smoothies at home.
4. Beauty blenders- bought a new one over the weekend & my love affair with that sponge started all over again.
5. Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Rosewater- Dude! I use this stuff before & after my makeup application. And I use it after I wash my face at night. Maybe I’m just addicted to the scent. But it does a great job of getting rid of cakey or powdery looking makeup. And I think it may moisturize my skin better than my Argan oil. Just maybe. Either way, I restocked it this week. If I could, I’m pretty sure I’d drink it 🙂

The recipe calls for bananas, frozen strawberries, frozen mango chunks, frozen pineapple chunks, spinach, almond milk, & vanilla extract to sweeten, if desired. I think I’m gonna add kale as well since I got a green smoothie from Tropical Smoothie & it had both spinach & kale. What surprised me, beyond the taste, was how much energy it gave me. I also have some coconut oil that I’m thinking about adding to my smoothies as well. Gotta learn how to use my new Nutribullet first 🙂

I’m a sucker for a new mug and that one is gorgeous! I bought a Tervis tumbler recently that I take everywhere with me, it has little birdies on it. Also enjoying a couple of recent lip finds, YSL Gloss Volupte #210 Beige Nu & Essence Lipstick #06 Barely There. These are both gorgeous MLBB and the Essence is especially thrilling being $3.49 at the drug store!

1. Trader Joes Dark Chocolate Honey Mints- 3 ingredients and tastes like a peppermint patty.
2. UD Naked 2 palette- just got it this summer and I’m still in love.
3. Bare Minerals BB Cream- perfect for my dry skin
4. Caribou Coffee- their crafted press is the stuff of my coffee dreams. I don’t care for the PSL from Starbucks (I think I’m the only one) but dying to try Caribou’s pumpkin chai.
5. Book: The Luckiest Girl Alive- recommended for people who liked Gone Girl or The Girl on the Train.

4) Johnson & Johnson No More Tangles detangling spray. Literally saved my hair when I was in the hospital. It got into a matted birdsnest condition that was so not cute. But, saturating the knots with this spray, letting it sit for awhile, and then some patient combing got me all untangled.

It was touch and go for awhile. I still have to go through physical therapy to try to get back to where I was functioning wise, but it’s good to be home. Missy is thrilled to have me home. She doesn’t want me to get out of bed in the morning! She was in good hands while I was gone, though. I came home to a happy, healthy cat.

I adore my hot pink Baby Lips! Like you said, the color looks scary-bright but it goes on sheer & my lips feel amazing when I wear it. Good luck in moving forward with the lipstick journey; I hope it goes smoothly (pun intended!). <3

I would check out Revlon’s Colorburst Lip Butter for moisturizing sheer color. Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip balm is a good alternative to Baby Lips. Pacifica also carries tinted balm & is sold at Target & I believe at Whole Foods. I’m partial to Wet’n’Wild’s Balm Stain for lighter coverage & long-lasting color, plus it’s so inexpensive, you can purchase several colors to try ithout spending much. I don’t know if you have the option of speaking with a makeup artist at a local Ulta or Sephora; they may have more ideas for you.

1. Artist’s Loft brushes which I discovered at Michael’s Craft Store. They’re teeny detail brushes & the handles are red & sharply tapered so the ferrule is skinny & the rest of the handle is thicker. The handles feel slightly tacky, like a hard rubber (if that makes sense) which makes it easier for me to hang onto. The price range is $3.99 to $9.99 & since I had a 50% coupon, I feel as if I discovered a secret weapon!

2. Simple brand Micellar Cleansing Water: I’ve been needing a makeup remover as I want to try new looks & products. So glad I found a bottle at my local Walmart! Odorless, gentle, pretty effective at remving all but the most stubborn waterproof eyeliner with one cotton pad–and inexpensive.

4. MOD Pizza! It opened up earlier this summer in our town & I finally tried it yesterday. I can’t wait to try ALL the combinations!

5. My nieces who I watch several times a week, Lily (4 years old) & Stella (2 years old). They are hilarious, dramatic, crazy, creative, intelligent little girls & I’m so blessed to spend so much time with them! I was sitting on the couch yesterday trying to read & Lily walked up to me, leaned in really close & announced, “You painted your eyes purple!” (I was wearing purple gel liner). I said yes, I did, it’s something grownups do & I would teach her when she’s older. She nodded & said, “OK. I will paint my eyes in a few while”, which is her way of indicating a later time.

Those are my current faves. I enjoy reading everybody’s lists & as I’ve said before, thinking about what I enjoy definitely elevates my mood!

1) Coffee in the mornings
I took a break from coffee for a few weeks since it seemed to upset my tummy, but I couldn’t stay away for too long! My tummy seems to have calmed down, so I’m happily back at the stuff 🙂

2) Medium-boiled eggs for breakfast
There is nothing quite as heavenly as noming on a still warm, sea-salt-sprinkled, boiled egg with firm whites and a runny yolk. Breakfast of champions! I find it keeps me full much longer than cereal or smoothies, too. They’re also quick enough that the hubby will often make them before we go to work – another plus 😉

3) the e.l.f. Essential Instant Lift Brow Pencil
I love the coloring on this pencil (they only have 3 shades, but neutral brown works for me), and it sticks around ALL DAY – and it’s only TWO DOLLARS!! $$ This is some drugstore holy grail-ness, right here. I do wish it was a bit more waxy so it would provide some grip/hold for the ol’ brow hairs, but I can also grab some clear brow gel for that bidness if I feel the need. Ultimately, not too shabby. (also, a little usage tip: the pencil starts off with a sharpened tip, which dulls pretty quickly. To keep an “edge” on it, I use the pencil on the tail end of the brow at an angle, or will use a stiff brow brush on the pencil, until it gets a flat, angled edge on it. Then I use the “sharp” edge to fill in the little brow hairs in the inside part of my brows!)

4) Tarte fearless cheek stain
I love how bright and bouncy this color is – I thought it would mostly be a spring/summer color for me, but I love how it’s transitioning into fall, too! It keeps the face looking pretty fresh, which works for both light and darker/bolder lip colors.

I’d like to add one thing I’m hankering for: Molasses cookies, man. I need them in my life, stat! Some switch labeled “fall” just flipped in my head this morning, and boy am I ready for spiced EVERYTHING. Molasses cookies, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin beer, spiced zucchini bread, mulled wine… I want it all in my mouth like NOW. But molasses cookies seem most insistent, lol! They’re practically demanding that I make them 🙂 You know you’ve got it bad when non-existent cookies are already talking to you, haha!

Some things I’ve been loving lately are
1) This blog. I’ve been picking up a lot of little tricks that have been making my makeup application smoother and easier. Next up, I’m going to attempt some false lashes.
2) Caroline Hirons blog. Because her emphasis is skincare and my aging skin is starting to look better since I’ve been reading her blog and trying some of the products she recommends.
3) This is weird, but I’m loving my new primary care physician. My long time physician retired and I didn’t like any of the other doctor/partners in her old practice. It took me about 10 months but I’ve found a doctor I think I can work with. Last week her assistant booked a long appointment for me and she spent about an hour and a half discussing my health and what changes we could make to improve it. She switched some things around for me and I’m already starting to feel better.
4) Postcards! My hub has been working overseas lately and he sends postcards at random intervals. He tries to find ones with interesting images (not necessarily of things he sees, because let’s face it, he’s been seeing a lot of office interiors) and they make me smile when I open the mailbox and see them.

“because El Hub, who works part time as a bull in a china shop, broke the rest” Haha, our husbands must be brothers. Two things I can count on mine for are A) dropping glasses or plates in the sink, so they break and B) leaving drawers and cabinet doors open so that I walk into them.

Hope today isn’t too hot up your way. Stay cool. There’s supposed to be some relief from the heat this weekend.

1) Stealing a/c. Last night I went to my parents’ and slept in their guest room, and the night before that I was back at my boyfriend’s to escape the heat. Can’t sleep when my bedroom is 85-90 degrees! I hope the heat breaks soon!

2) Origins Original Skin Retexturizing mask. It manages to clear and tighten my pores without drying me out, so lovely!

3) Air drying my hair. I finally figured out that rather than trying to force the curl, I just brush it out with a boar bristle brush as it’s drying and I get nice gentle waves. And just in time too, it’s been way too hot! I just have to make sure to use some Aveda curl cream to keep the frizz away.

1. Puffins Pumpkin flavored cereal- I just found this at the grocery store the other day and it is so good. I haven’t really been into cereal in a while but loving this for breakfast everyday right now.

2. What to expect when you’re expecting- I ordered this from Amazon as soon as I found out I was pregnant and I’ve been reading it everyday. Lots of info in there!

3. Lush ocean salt scrub. Ok so this isn’t new, I discovered it at the beginning of the a Summer but loving it extra this week because it’s really helping out with my breakouts. I think it’s the heat wave we have been having, my skin isn’t enjoying it. I’m ready for Fall!

4. La Croix seltzer- I’m a big seltzer drinker, and just discovered this. I had one a couple times at whole foods but then in target over the weekend I saw that they sell them by the case! I bought them all haha They just taste so much better than anything else. Da bomb dot com.

5. Dawson’s creek re runs on abc family. Anyone? Just takes me back, that show was my life back in the day!

1) Too Faced Vegas Nay Star Dust palette. I’ve used it almost every day since I got it. I knew I’d like it, but I didn’t think I’d be so obsessed with it. It’s just so beautiful. I love the purple with the warm gold and coppery tones. *sigh*

2) The cooler weather. Although it’s supposed to go back in the low 90s for tomorrow and Saturday. Still better than most of the summer!

3) A pair of earrings I bought on my anniversary trip. They have gold and black chains that hook onto the back posts, and little dangly crosses hanging off the chains. It’s an inexpensive pair from a Claires outlet, but they’re so cute I’ve been wearing the heck out of them.

4) Hot tubbing. Hubby got the filter and seals changed on the one he bought from Craig’s list, and it works perfectly. The previous owners were kind to it. I must say I’m enjoying it!

5) Decluttering for a good cause. I went through my makeup, samples, toiletries, GWPs, beauty subscription items, etc. and put together a huge box of stuff I wasn’t using. I donated it to a women’s shelter in New York. The staff member doing the drive accepts used makeup items if they can be sanitized. I gave new and gently used (such as swatched eye palettes I didn’t end up using much).